Composer

:

Hugo Wolf

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

Mar 7, 1887

Average_duration

:

1:16

Hugo Wolf's 'Der Soldat I (Eichendorff Lieder)' is a song cycle composed in 1888. The premiere of the work took place in Vienna in the same year. The cycle consists of six movements, each of which is based on a poem by Joseph von Eichendorff. The first movement, 'Der Soldat I', is a melancholic and introspective piece that sets the tone for the rest of the cycle. The soldier in the poem reflects on his life and the choices he has made, wondering if he has made the right decisions. The second movement, 'Der Musikant', is a lively and playful piece that contrasts with the introspective nature of the first movement. The poem tells the story of a musician who travels from town to town, playing his music and enjoying the company of women. The third movement, 'Der Tambour', is a dramatic and intense piece that tells the story of a drummer who is sent to war. The poem describes the sounds of battle and the fear and uncertainty that the soldier feels. The fourth movement, 'Das Ständchen', is a romantic and tender piece that tells the story of a young man who serenades his lover outside her window. The poem is filled with imagery of the night and the beauty of nature. The fifth movement, 'In der Fremde', is a haunting and melancholic piece that tells the story of a soldier who is far from home and longing for his loved ones. The poem is filled with images of loneliness and despair. The final movement, 'Abschied', is a bittersweet and nostalgic piece that brings the cycle to a close. The soldier in the poem reflects on his life and the people he has left behind, knowing that he may never see them again. Overall, 'Der Soldat I (Eichendorff Lieder)' is a powerful and emotional work that showcases Hugo Wolf's skill as a composer. The cycle is filled with a range of emotions, from joy and playfulness to sadness and despair, and each movement is a masterful interpretation of Eichendorff's poetry.

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